Secretary Vilsack Makes a Surprise Visit to a Maryland County Office

Friday afternoon at four o'clock is normally a time when most offices are winding down from a long week.  But this particular Friday would be a memorable one for a program assistant in Maryland.

Lynn Dabler says she received a phone call from someone that identified himself as a secret service agent telling her the Secretary of Agriculture would be stopping by her office for a visit. "At first I wondered if this was a prank call," recalled Dabler.

It wasn't.  A short while later, two black SUVs pulled up in front of Maryland's Cecil County USDA Service Center.  Secret service agents came to the counter first, and after giving the "all alear," in walked Secretary Tom Vilsack.  He introduced himself to Lynn and said he was passing through on his way back to D.C. after attending a meeting in Philadelphia. 

"I was really nervous when he first arrived," said Dabler.  "But after I talked with him for a bit, it was like I was talking with one of my farmers.  He was very down to earth." Vilsack asked Dabler what programs she was working on and she explained she was responsible for the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP). 

"He asked me what I thought about the new ACRE program and I told him at first glance the program seems very complex," said Dabler.  Vilsack laughed and said, "When you understand it maybe you can explain it to me." 

Dabler said the secretary's visit lasted about 30 minutes, during which she acquainted him with the office and explained that Friday was the CED's day off.   Vilsack thanked her for her hospitality and along with his security team headed back to Washington, D.C.

Dabler says she came away from the visit impressed with the Secretary Vilsack.  "To me, it speaks volumes when a department head thinks enough about his employees to stop by and visit in person," Dabler said. She said the secretary told her he believes in staying connected to the public at the grassroots level and that he hopes to visit other offices in the future if time permits. 

So don't be surprised someday if your office gets the call.  Dabler adds, "He will ask questions so stay calm and give the answers."

Secretary Tom Vilsack chats with Program Assistant Lynn Dabler at the Cecil County Service Center in Elkton, Md., during a recent surprise visit.